"It's so nice to have you back, Dalisay," Becka said, patting her shoulder. "I can't imagine what you went through in that lab."
"Your wolf will be missed during battles," Helga added, and everyone in her royal guard quadrant went quiet.
Dalisay gulped uneasily, adopting a calm facade. "I am sure you will manage without me. After all, we had the same training."
"But you were going to get that promotion," someone at the back of the room mumbled, and Dalisay's fists clenched uncontrollably.
"It's okay," she said with a polite but forced smile. "I am human now, so it will go to one of you."
"But— what about you?" Helga taunted. Dalisay could tell that her old-time rival was enjoying this. She could bet she didn't cry when the news of the helicopter explosion arrived.
"What about me?" Sh
